Cardiologist Questions Heart weakness

What can I do to strengthen my heart?

My doctor says that my heart muscle is a lot weaker than it should be at my age. I'm in my late 30s and also a heavy smoker. Other than dropping the smoking habit, what are some ways that I can strengthen my heart?

1 Answer

"Weaker heart" is unclear to me. If you meant weaker functioning, that is low heart muscle contractile functioning such as cardiomyopathy, heart failure etc, then you must be on low salt and fluid restricted diet. If this is the condition you are referring to, you must be on certain medications including beta-blocker, ACE inhibitor, or ARB category drugs, etc. Please confirm with your doctor. Also, cardiac rehabilitation will help, which consists of graded exercise programs.

In general, moderately vigorous activity of 150 min per week is recommended, divided to convenience. If this is a general question about heart healthy food, then you must have a low salt diet, foods low in fat especially saturated fats is what you are looking for. Also, abundance of fiber in diet, and fresh vegetables and fruits with plenty of antioxidants are good. Smoking is severely injurious to the heart and several other parts of body. Certainly cessation is advised.